"Fandom requires you to associate with the kind of people you'd normally cross the street to avoid" - yours truly, after Garrison Keillor
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I've been attending cons about as long as you have. I went to one Worldcon--LoneStarCon two years ago. Which drew me into internet discussions of "Why is Worldcon dying and how can we help it?" My suggestion was to hand the Worldcon mantle to a megacon such as Dragoncon or SDCC. The old guard hated the idea. We're seeing why now.
I suspect the Hugo kerfuffle might be the saving of Worldcon. With enough extra funds they can sponsor stuff to bring in new people.
Who knows? We may ultimately have a Sad Puppies bid to put a Worldcon in Salt Lake City and invite Larry Correia as GoH. >:)
I've been to two Worldcons (Discon II was my first con period, and I went to Constellation in 1983) and am mulling over MidAmericon II, which is on the 40th anniversary of the first MidAmericon - I had a membership, and a promised introduction to GoH Robert Heinlein, but my parents weren't so keen on letting their teenage son bus it cross-country to hang out with several thousand SF fans. Looking back, they were probably right to be wary. In the middle, I've been to a fair number of literary SF, geek culture, and anime conventions, and I have to say I prefer the anime conventions. Less obnoxious politics on the part of the staff and membership, for one thing.
I worked an anime con (GMing). My main reaction was "does your mother know you're dressed like that?" That's NOT the reaction I was having at Worldcon.
I could see Salt Lake Comic Con taking Worldcon under its wing. A pure Puppies bid . . . I think it would make the past two weeks' drama pale.
Don't lie - you'd enjoy watching all the heads explode if Salt Lake City won the bid. :)
Anime conventions...they're a not always successful blend of American geek culture with Japanese culture, with a lot of awkwardness, as you've observed. If there's still costuming at Worldcon, I suspect it's much more G-rated.
It varies from year to year depending on the whims of the publishers, and sometimes the authors. Michael Flynn made his nominated short story "In The Stone House" available online ,and I am remiss in not posting a link for it. One of the things on the to-do list for today.
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I suspect the Hugo kerfuffle might be the saving of Worldcon. With enough extra funds they can sponsor stuff to bring in new people.
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I've been to two Worldcons (Discon II was my first con period, and I went to Constellation in 1983) and am mulling over MidAmericon II, which is on the 40th anniversary of the first MidAmericon - I had a membership, and a promised introduction to GoH Robert Heinlein, but my parents weren't so keen on letting their teenage son bus it cross-country to hang out with several thousand SF fans. Looking back, they were probably right to be wary. In the middle, I've been to a fair number of literary SF, geek culture, and anime conventions, and I have to say I prefer the anime conventions. Less obnoxious politics on the part of the staff and membership, for one thing.
Reply
I could see Salt Lake Comic Con taking Worldcon under its wing. A pure Puppies bid . . . I think it would make the past two weeks' drama pale.
Reply
Anime conventions...they're a not always successful blend of American geek culture with Japanese culture, with a lot of awkwardness, as you've observed. If there's still costuming at Worldcon, I suspect it's much more G-rated.
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That's worth it for me.
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